A controversial pet shop deemed unsuitable for animals by a vet and where the manager was fined for selling a sick puppy is no longer allowed to sell livestock

The Leading Pet Company (LPC) in Sutton High Street, formerly known as Petsville International, has been the subject of numerous complaints about the way it treated animals and other incidents in the shop and even featured in an episode of the BBC's Rogue Traders.

But now it is not allowed to sell any animals after it did not apply for the its licence to be renewed - although Sutton Council said it would not have granted a licence even if it had applied after the manager was fined for selling a sick dog and a vet condemned conditions in the shop.

Pet Shops must apply for their licences to be renewed at the end of each calendar year. LPC failed to do that last year meaning the shop is no longer allowed to sell livestock, although it is allowed to sell pet supplies.

The council's licensing officers have to judge whether licences can be handed out and had warned LPC it was not likely to get its licence as owner Ben Boys was facing a court case over selling a sick dog - something he was fined £500 for in January - and a vets report concluded conditions in the shop were not up to standard.

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Council licensing manager Richard Winch said: "[Mr Boys] was aware that if he was to apply then we would be likely to refuse it on the recommendation of the vet's report.

"It was a number of factors, not just one thing, that the report picked up on. It comes down to whether the premises was a habitable place."

Signs have been put up in the shop saying that no animals are for sale and that it is due to be refurbished. However, if it is refurbished and reapplies for a licence, a panel of councillors will have to decide whether it should be granted.

A freedom of information request revealed Sutton Council received 53 complaints about the shop between 2008 and July last year. They included people buying sick dogs, complaints about the "disgusting" conditions in the shop and there being a dead rabbit in the store.

Comments (29)

ABOUT TIME! This place should have been banned from selling animals years ago. My dad spoke to one of the employees, and the employee stated that the Manager can't be bothered to look after the animals.

I have lost count of how many sick animals I have seen in there.

Recently, I saw 2 sick parrots, a cat with an eye infection which had been left for a while judging by how much it had progressed and a dog had a serious skin condition.

ABOUT TIME! This place should have been banned from selling animals years ago. My dad spoke to one of the employees, and the employee stated that the Manager can't be bothered to look after the animals.
I have lost count of how many sick animals I have seen in there.
Recently, I saw 2 sick parrots, a cat with an eye infection which had been left for a while judging by how much it had progressed and a dog had a serious skin condition.AlexTB

This shop should have been closed down and the suffering of all of these animals back in the 90s, everyone knew it was happening back then and no one has done anything till now apart from keep fining them. DISGUSTING!!!

This shop should have been closed down and the suffering of all of these animals back in the 90s, everyone knew it was happening back then and no one has done anything till now apart from keep fining them. DISGUSTING!!!tiggy77

I used to work at a vets in the 90's and we tried to get it closed down, always has been a disgrace....but unfortunately they will get their licence back, they will just pretend to be under new ownership AGAIN!!!!! No pet shops should be allowed to sell animals of any kind FULL BLOODY STOP!!!!!! If you want a pet go to a reputable breeder or rescue centre.

I used to work at a vets in the 90's and we tried to get it closed down, always has been a disgrace....but unfortunately they will get their licence back, they will just pretend to be under new ownership AGAIN!!!!! No pet shops should be allowed to sell animals of any kind FULL BLOODY STOP!!!!!! If you want a pet go to a reputable breeder or rescue centre.lilacgeorge

I run Stepping Stones Rescue in Wallington for young cats and kittens. One of my followers is the lady who succesfully took these people to court. I announced it on my facebook page - stepping stones rescue/facebook and the response was absolutely amazing...go on there. It stunned me. It was the biggest response I ve ever had to any post and it s still going on. Sutton Guardian please look for yourselves. from Ros Carney

I run Stepping Stones Rescue in Wallington for young cats and kittens. One of my followers is the lady who succesfully took these people to court. I announced it on my facebook page - stepping stones rescue/facebook and the response was absolutely amazing...go on there. It stunned me. It was the biggest response I ve ever had to any post and it s still going on. Sutton Guardian please look for yourselves. from Ros Carneyros carney

about time. My daughter went in there a few months ago and saw a dead guinea pig in with the living ones. When she told the employee, not sure whether it was an employee or the manager, but he said no worries, we will feed it to the snake! Unbelievable. Heartless bastards!!!

about time. My daughter went in there a few months ago and saw a dead guinea pig in with the living ones. When she told the employee, not sure whether it was an employee or the manager, but he said no worries, we will feed it to the snake! Unbelievable. Heartless bastards!!!jacquiemurry

Well me and everyone I know must have been lucky because all our animals we have brought from the shop have been fine. And was told when buying my dog that I should take it straight to my own vet so that if there is any health problems the shop would cover the cost.
Every time I have been in there, there is always someone cleaning out the animals. Yes there's a bit of a pong but that's expected with so many animals and food isn't it?
Oh and a comment earlier about the protesters, is that the same animal rights protesters that tried to burn the animals alive at the back of the shop many years back??? Very caring I must say

Well me and everyone I know must have been lucky because all our animals we have brought from the shop have been fine. And was told when buying my dog that I should take it straight to my own vet so that if there is any health problems the shop would cover the cost.
Every time I have been in there, there is always someone cleaning out the animals. Yes there's a bit of a pong but that's expected with so many animals and food isn't it?
Oh and a comment earlier about the protesters, is that the same animal rights protesters that tried to burn the animals alive at the back of the shop many years back??? Very caring I must saycinderella4eva

jamieonline wrote:
my mum bought 2 kittens from here nearly 2 years ago. they was around 2/3 weeks old. no problems with them both. still alive and kicking! from the sounds of it, it's a good job she did!

2 or 3 weeks old is way too young. They should be at least 8 weeks old. The kittens were not old enough to be weaned off their mother's milk..

[quote][p][bold]jamieonline[/bold] wrote:
my mum bought 2 kittens from here nearly 2 years ago. they was around 2/3 weeks old. no problems with them both. still alive and kicking! from the sounds of it, it's a good job she did![/p][/quote]2 or 3 weeks old is way too young. They should be at least 8 weeks old. The kittens were not old enough to be weaned off their mother's milk..AlexTB

cinderella4eva wrote:
Well me and everyone I know must have been lucky because all our animals we have brought from the shop have been fine. And was told when buying my dog that I should take it straight to my own vet so that if there is any health problems the shop would cover the cost.
Every time I have been in there, there is always someone cleaning out the animals. Yes there's a bit of a pong but that's expected with so many animals and food isn't it?
Oh and a comment earlier about the protesters, is that the same animal rights protesters that tried to burn the animals alive at the back of the shop many years back??? Very caring I must say

your experience is in the minority then.

and i highly doubt people trying to help animals live a better life would then burn them alive. please...

[quote][p][bold]cinderella4eva[/bold] wrote:
Well me and everyone I know must have been lucky because all our animals we have brought from the shop have been fine. And was told when buying my dog that I should take it straight to my own vet so that if there is any health problems the shop would cover the cost.
Every time I have been in there, there is always someone cleaning out the animals. Yes there's a bit of a pong but that's expected with so many animals and food isn't it?
Oh and a comment earlier about the protesters, is that the same animal rights protesters that tried to burn the animals alive at the back of the shop many years back??? Very caring I must say[/p][/quote]your experience is in the minority then.
and i highly doubt people trying to help animals live a better life would then burn them alive. please...emelem

Fact - there was a fire
Fact - the protesters were blamed
Maybe they didn't cause it and maybe that's just more hearsay, just like the 'I know someone who knows....'
Unless you have witnessed anything for yourself then what truth is any of it? I have told of MY experience with the shop, and cannot judge on anything that I have not witnessed for MYSELF

Fact - there was a fire
Fact - the protesters were blamed
Maybe they didn't cause it and maybe that's just more hearsay, just like the 'I know someone who knows....'
Unless you have witnessed anything for yourself then what truth is any of it? I have told of MY experience with the shop, and cannot judge on anything that I have not witnessed for MYSELFcinderella4eva

If Sutton council wish to review their license should they reapply, they need to also take into consideration where these animals originate from, i.e. puppy and kitten farms. This is no way to start of animals in this day and age. Time to come out of the dark ages.

If Sutton council wish to review their license should they reapply, they need to also take into consideration where these animals originate from, i.e. puppy and kitten farms. This is no way to start of animals in this day and age. Time to come out of the dark ages.jansthelier

I was part of a campaign which tried for 12 years tried to stop the Council giving this shop licence. We provided evidence.

This decision is at least 20 years too late.

You will remember the Kingston branch was caught on "Rogue Traders" selling a sick pup with false papers. It shut down quite quietly some time later.

Obviously, the Licensing Departments, RSPCA and City of London to vets must bear responsibility for giving the shops a clean bill of health.

I was part of a campaign which tried for 12 years tried to stop the Council giving this shop licence. We provided evidence.
This decision is at least 20 years too late.
You will remember the Kingston branch was caught on "Rogue Traders" selling a sick pup with false papers. It shut down quite quietly some time later.
Obviously, the Licensing Departments, RSPCA and City of London to vets must bear responsibility for giving the shops a clean bill of health.Deri

Has it really taken that long? I left Sutton 4 years ago, and wasn't aware that shop was STILL trading. Seriously dodgy place... they shouldn't be allowed to sell anything, never mind live animals.

Not knowing their reputation at the time, I shopped there once (not buying animals) and the impression I got was of evasive chancers with no idea of consumer law.

Has it really taken that long? I left Sutton 4 years ago, and wasn't aware that shop was STILL trading. Seriously dodgy place... they shouldn't be allowed to sell anything, never mind live animals.
Not knowing their reputation at the time, I shopped there once (not buying animals) and the impression I got was of evasive chancers with no idea of consumer law.sfocata

jamieonline wrote:
my mum bought 2 kittens from here nearly 2 years ago. they was around 2/3 weeks old. no problems with them both. still alive and kicking! from the sounds of it, it's a good job she did!

The fact they were even selling kittens at that age is deeply worrying. They're still 6 weeks away from a sensible minimum age for rehoming (not to mention the fact they shouldn't be in a mixed shop environment).

[quote][p][bold]jamieonline[/bold] wrote:
my mum bought 2 kittens from here nearly 2 years ago. they was around 2/3 weeks old. no problems with them both. still alive and kicking! from the sounds of it, it's a good job she did![/p][/quote]The fact they were even selling kittens at that age is deeply worrying. They're still 6 weeks away from a sensible minimum age for rehoming (not to mention the fact they shouldn't be in a mixed shop environment).sfocata

cinderella4eva wrote:
Fact - there was a fire
Fact - the protesters were blamed
Maybe they didn't cause it and maybe that's just more hearsay, just like the 'I know someone who knows....'
Unless you have witnessed anything for yourself then what truth is any of it? I have told of MY experience with the shop, and cannot judge on anything that I have not witnessed for MYSELF

"Fact - the protesters were blamed". By whom? You've constructed a supposedly logical argument based on something that's not provable.

[quote][p][bold]cinderella4eva[/bold] wrote:
Fact - there was a fire
Fact - the protesters were blamed
Maybe they didn't cause it and maybe that's just more hearsay, just like the 'I know someone who knows....'
Unless you have witnessed anything for yourself then what truth is any of it? I have told of MY experience with the shop, and cannot judge on anything that I have not witnessed for MYSELF[/p][/quote]"Fact - the protesters were blamed". By whom? You've constructed a supposedly logical argument based on something that's not provable.sfocata

cinderella4eva wrote:
Fact - there was a fire
Fact - the protesters were blamed
Maybe they didn't cause it and maybe that's just more hearsay, just like the 'I know someone who knows....'
Unless you have witnessed anything for yourself then what truth is any of it? I have told of MY experience with the shop, and cannot judge on anything that I have not witnessed for MYSELF

Oh was that the same fire that turned out to be an insurance scam (some animals were trapped upstairs) !!!??? FACT!!! Then name was changed on license & 'hey presto' shop was up & running again... Me suspicious?? NOOOO Hmmm!! Puppies were show to be from puppy farms. Also when my daughter was shopping in Sutton she popped in there, & was 'firmly' prevented taking pictures of animals in horrendous conditions.. Disgusting shop. Hope its closed down altogether & not even be allowed to sell goods GOOD BYE TO BAD RUBBISH

[quote][p][bold]cinderella4eva[/bold] wrote:
Fact - there was a fire
Fact - the protesters were blamed
Maybe they didn't cause it and maybe that's just more hearsay, just like the 'I know someone who knows....'
Unless you have witnessed anything for yourself then what truth is any of it? I have told of MY experience with the shop, and cannot judge on anything that I have not witnessed for MYSELF[/p][/quote]Oh was that the same fire that turned out to be an insurance scam (some animals were trapped upstairs) !!!??? FACT!!! Then name was changed on license & 'hey presto' shop was up & running again... Me suspicious?? NOOOO Hmmm!! Puppies were show to be from puppy farms. Also when my daughter was shopping in Sutton she popped in there, & was 'firmly' prevented taking pictures of animals in horrendous conditions.. Disgusting shop. Hope its closed down altogether & not even be allowed to sell goods GOOD BYE TO BAD RUBBISHbodon prifiz

As I said maybe they didn't, and most of the other comments are also just rumours. The fire was more than 10 years ago.
And for 2-3 week old kittens to be sold anywhere, rubbish, at that age they can barely open their eyes, let alone walk properly. Maybe she meant 2-3 months old. That's how easily rumours start.

When it was the previous owner then yeah I would say time to close up shop, but this owner has made the place a lot more welcoming, and it's not fair that he gets the blame for things that happened before he was even there.
I'm sorry if you don't like my opinion or that iv never had a problem there, but I'm grateful that myself and my animals all had good dealings with the shop

As I said maybe they didn't, and most of the other comments are also just rumours. The fire was more than 10 years ago.
And for 2-3 week old kittens to be sold anywhere, rubbish, at that age they can barely open their eyes, let alone walk properly. Maybe she meant 2-3 months old. That's how easily rumours start.
When it was the previous owner then yeah I would say time to close up shop, but this owner has made the place a lot more welcoming, and it's not fair that he gets the blame for things that happened before he was even there.
I'm sorry if you don't like my opinion or that iv never had a problem there, but I'm grateful that myself and my animals all had good dealings with the shopcinderella4eva

cinderella4eva wrote:
As I said maybe they didn't, and most of the other comments are also just rumours. The fire was more than 10 years ago.
And for 2-3 week old kittens to be sold anywhere, rubbish, at that age they can barely open their eyes, let alone walk properly. Maybe she meant 2-3 months old. That's how easily rumours start.

When it was the previous owner then yeah I would say time to close up shop, but this owner has made the place a lot more welcoming, and it's not fair that he gets the blame for things that happened before he was even there.
I'm sorry if you don't like my opinion or that iv never had a problem there, but I'm grateful that myself and my animals all had good dealings with the shop

So it doesn't matter that PRESENT owners got puppies from a puppy farm.? Where they & mother dog is 'mated' usually with a family member where allsorts of inbred deceases/deformaties CAN occur. are usually kept in outdoor, unheated kennels in complete darkness!! It doesn't matter if you should ideally adopt & NEVER buy? & not line a 'pet peddler's' pocket!!!! & to top it they are then kept in a filthy shop!! Remember I state PRESENT OWNER.. I also blame customers (present ones) for keeping his business open!! 'no customers? = no business'

[quote][p][bold]cinderella4eva[/bold] wrote:
As I said maybe they didn't, and most of the other comments are also just rumours. The fire was more than 10 years ago.
And for 2-3 week old kittens to be sold anywhere, rubbish, at that age they can barely open their eyes, let alone walk properly. Maybe she meant 2-3 months old. That's how easily rumours start.
When it was the previous owner then yeah I would say time to close up shop, but this owner has made the place a lot more welcoming, and it's not fair that he gets the blame for things that happened before he was even there.
I'm sorry if you don't like my opinion or that iv never had a problem there, but I'm grateful that myself and my animals all had good dealings with the shop[/p][/quote]So it doesn't matter that PRESENT owners got puppies from a puppy farm.? Where they & mother dog is 'mated' usually with a family member where allsorts of inbred deceases/deformaties CAN occur. are usually kept in outdoor, unheated kennels in complete darkness!! It doesn't matter if you should ideally adopt & NEVER buy? & not line a 'pet peddler's' pocket!!!! & to top it they are then kept in a filthy shop!! Remember I state PRESENT OWNER.. I also blame customers (present ones) for keeping his business open!! 'no customers? = no business'bodon prifiz

Iv always found the place very friendly. They never had a problem with my children going to see the animals. They were more than happy to allow them to stroke the puppies and kittens, which were always very happy and playful, and the staff have given me some very good advice to help me with my cats strange activities and how to stop my dog from eating it's own excrement.
As irritating as it is to walk around buckets and bin bags, at least I have always seen that the animals were cleaned and fed in the morning time.
I wish them good luck with what the future has for them and I don't believe the rumours

Iv always found the place very friendly. They never had a problem with my children going to see the animals. They were more than happy to allow them to stroke the puppies and kittens, which were always very happy and playful, and the staff have given me some very good advice to help me with my cats strange activities and how to stop my dog from eating it's own excrement.
As irritating as it is to walk around buckets and bin bags, at least I have always seen that the animals were cleaned and fed in the morning time.
I wish them good luck with what the future has for them and I don't believe the rumoursEachtotheirown80

We purchased a kitten from there while we were clearly intoxicated. Luckily we woke up the next morning and were happy with our little "surprise". Although I love my little darlin I dread to think of the cruelty most animals there have to endure. What happens to the unsold animals?

We purchased a kitten from there while we were clearly intoxicated. Luckily we woke up the next morning and were happy with our little "surprise". Although I love my little darlin I dread to think of the cruelty most animals there have to endure. What happens to the unsold animals?jackson80

All two people in support of this shop must be friends or employees of the owner...

And I hope the comment behind me is a joke and that the shop really didn't sell to drunk people.

Sigh~ reiterating a FACT stated above, no need to buy animals from a shop (which adds to overpopulation) when shelters are full of them already. IF the owner cares about animals at all, he would sell only supplies and advertise the many shelters near by. End of.

All two people in support of this shop must be friends or employees of the owner...
And I hope the comment behind me is a joke and that the shop really didn't sell to drunk people.
Sigh~ reiterating a FACT stated above, no need to buy animals from a shop (which adds to overpopulation) when shelters are full of them already. IF the owner cares about animals at all, he would sell only supplies and advertise the many shelters near by. End of.emelem

cinderella4eva wrote:
And where's the proof that the PRESENT OWNER gets the dogs from puppy farms??? Please enlighten me seeing as you know so much

Because no caring responsible breeder would EVER sell to a third party, or you could just try googling the names of some of his puppy breeders. Very little if any health testing done on any of the parents. Before buying any puppy do your research, see the puppy with its siblings and the mother, see proof of health testing and don't believe any excuses as to why things haven't been done. A puppy should always go straight from its place of birth to its forever home, they are just too vulnerable at such a young age to be passed around and mixed with other puppies with new germs. Thank god this place has been closed.

[quote][p][bold]cinderella4eva[/bold] wrote:
And where's the proof that the PRESENT OWNER gets the dogs from puppy farms??? Please enlighten me seeing as you know so much[/p][/quote]Because no caring responsible breeder would EVER sell to a third party, or you could just try googling the names of some of his puppy breeders. Very little if any health testing done on any of the parents. Before buying any puppy do your research, see the puppy with its siblings and the mother, see proof of health testing and don't believe any excuses as to why things haven't been done. A puppy should always go straight from its place of birth to its forever home, they are just too vulnerable at such a young age to be passed around and mixed with other puppies with new germs. Thank god this place has been closed.dogslife

"However the complaints don't always reflect the reality - we even got complaints from people who hadn't been in there. "

This really annoyed me! It is not necessary for someone to have visited the shop in order to complain about the fact they sold dogs. NO animal should ever be an impulse buy, but dogs more than others. And pet shops with cute puppies for sale encourage just that. I'm very glad this establishment is no longer able to sell animals but there needs to be a huge change in the attitudes of people in power. NO PUPPY MILLS. ALL BREEDERS TO BE LICENSED. AND NO PET SHOPS SELLING DOGS. Nothing else will suffice.

"However the complaints don't always reflect the reality - we even got complaints from people who hadn't been in there. "
This really annoyed me! It is not necessary for someone to have visited the shop in order to complain about the fact they sold dogs. NO animal should ever be an impulse buy, but dogs more than others. And pet shops with cute puppies for sale encourage just that. I'm very glad this establishment is no longer able to sell animals but there needs to be a huge change in the attitudes of people in power. NO PUPPY MILLS. ALL BREEDERS TO BE LICENSED. AND NO PET SHOPS SELLING DOGS. Nothing else will suffice.Jenni W